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BayesianLove

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Posts posted by BayesianLove

  1. On 6/8/2018 at 11:24 AM, Applied Math to Stat said:

    * ETA: An exception might be if you really want to work in a research division of a major company (like Microsoft Research or IBM Research). Then having several summers of industry research internships would be helpful. But otherwise, I haven't seen that it is necessary to have more than one to get a good job with a Statistics PhD.

    Does all this also apply for a job in a national lab?

  2. The main reason was that I liked their research and placement better, but the bottom line is that you can't go wrong with any of the two. I sent you a private message with a rather long write-up. Because there are a lot of personal/subjective reasons, I thought a private message would be better. If somebody else is facing the same situation and wants some input, just send me a message and I'll try to help.

  3. 38 minutes ago, unicornnn123 said:

    OMG I have a pretty similar problem to yours. I haven't officially decided yet, but I feel like ISU much more, and 90% I will go there. A lot of people think I'm crazy because NCSU seems to be a much better choice, but I feel my heart beats for ISU.

    Please update your final choice if possible. Wish you all the best!!

    Funny, because this is exactly how I feel and why I created the thread. NCSU seems more competitive from an objective/rational point of view, but there's definitely something subjective about ISU that makes it feel like a warmer place... perhaps it is the story of the department, or the snow, that it's making your lean towards ISU?

  4. Hi!

    Both programs have some strong similarities: large departments, diverse interests, good reputation, orientation towards application. Do you see any strong advantage/disadvantage for one program over the other? For example, NCSU is in the Research Triangle Park and the quals look significantly more accessible.

    I'm mostly interested in the applied/methodological side of the statistics. My interests are Bayesian stats and time series, including stuff like state space models and Bayesian filtering. I'm still open to industry and academy after getting the degree.

    Thanks!

  5. 18 minutes ago, Applied Math to Stat said:

    It matters a little bit, but not as much as programming/hacking skills (for industry) and publications/recommendation letters (for academia). For academic jobs, the job talk during your on-campus interview is also very important. There are some exceptions (e.g. some hedge funds may screen out anyone who didn't get a PhD from an Ivy League school), but for the most part, if you can get the job done for industry, then most companies aren't going to pay much attention to where you got your PhD.

    I assumed (without much data to back this up) that companies may place some weight on the overall University reputation. For example, if the stats department is highly regarded but the university is not so well known overall, a company may not know the idiosyncrasy of stats/math and may discard the candidate. Especially when you have some human resources fellow doing the screening, right?

  6. Are quals part of your decision? I've found that coursework and quals vary widely among schools:

    • At one school, quals include only two courses on probability theory and statistics (i.e. Casella & Berger).
    • NCSU includes two courses on probability theory and statistics (i.e. Casella & Berger) plus two courses on statistical methods (mostly linear models, ANOVA, etc). (ST 701, 702, 703, and 705).
    • Then there's crazy Iowa State University with an exam covering eight courses, including stuff more advanced than Casella & Berger as well as measure theory. (https://stat.iastate.edu/phd-requirements).

    I would assume that less coursework and a reasonable qualifying exam means that you can focus on research sooner. Isn't that a plus?

  7. 13 hours ago, DGcitizen said:

    To @BStat: Oh really? Exactly same choices? What a coincidence! I am happy to find someone who is in the same boat. 

    And thank you @Bayesian1701 and @bayessays for your advice. Unfortunately, the fellowship is for the first year only. It is really hard to decide... 

     

    5 hours ago, BStat said:

    Yup exact same choices while I wait for few more results. But really not very positive about them. We can definitely discuss this choice in greater detail, since it will be beneficial to both of us. 

    Same choices here. Looks like the "tier" system is a real thing.

  8. 2 hours ago, Applied Math to Stat said:

    I would say to all prospective applicants to ultimately choose the program that you feel is the best fit for you personally. This includes factors like program size (some people thrive better in a smaller dept), location, and "culture" of the department. These are highly personal and it's perfectly fine to prioritize one thing over another (like location, for example).   

    This sounds like very solid advice, but it is very hard to know about potential advisors and the culture of the department. Although it is reasonably easy to gather some hard measures on the performance of the Faculty (like checking their recent work and see if they're active and publishing on top journals), I'd say that for most incoming students it is very difficult to know whether faculty with similar interests are taking students, whether they're cool people and supportive with their students, and overall whether the department has a healthy culture.

  9. 14 hours ago, jianzixianji9 said:

     I got a email from a professor of UC Davis. She said she thinks I'm promising and wants to arrange a Skype 'chat' with me. She uses the exact word-- chat. Is this actually an interview? What should I prepare for it. Really need some thoughts. Thx a lot. 

    Somebody in the Survey just got accepted by UC Davis. Congrats, looks like you're going to have a happy convo with the professor :)

  10. 18 minutes ago, Bayesian1701 said:

    @BStat Following back up on UT Austin there are 8 people here.  So probably only a few offers left if any.  Historical yield rates are 40-45% and there could be people admitted but not attending.  

    I applied to Austin but never heard back. Actually, there are no rejections in the survey either. If I understand correctly, you mean that our only hope is to get a second-wave slot when some of those who already have an offer pick another school? Is that true for most schools, too? I'm still waiting to hear from a good couple.

  11. 20 hours ago, devbioboy said:

    I personally like the area around Western Manor! It seems safe (but it's pretty dark at night over there at night, but seems way safer than ES King). The apartments in Western Manor are nicer than the ones in ES King from what I've heard. It's right across the street from Centennial Campus and is right on Avent Ferry, so you'll have easy access to most of the Wolflines. I'd go with those over ES King's any day. In terms of beds, you can look into Fred's Beds which deliver all over the Raleigh area, or Craigslist.

    Thanks a lot for your comments. Looks like you'll be leaving Raleigh (probably for Boston :P), let me know if you're in the city next Fall though, I owe you a beer!

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